I have just returned from a one week holiday in Val Thorens, and I thought I should write this review while it is fresh in my memory…
Val Thorens prides itself upon being the highest skiingresort in Europe, at an altitude of 2300m. This means almost guaranteed snow; The only real drawback of this tremendous height is that sometimes you really are in the clouds, which can make visibility incredibly difficult, and it can be bittery cold.
If you do find yourself in Val Thorens on a sunny
and clear day you must go up to the “Cime de Caron”, where you get the most incredible 360° views of the Alps: Mont Blanc, the three valleys, everything… it really will take your breath away. (quite a tricky ski down though!)
If you really are hooked on skiing/snowboarding though, this really is the place to go… the piste area is huge, and if by some miracle you cover the whole area, you can buy a “three valleys lift pass” and ski/snowboard down to the other resorts. There are also some real off piste opportunities if you are brave enough to tackle them. This holiday really did produce for me some of the best skiing of my life.
If you are a learner, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to Val Thorens. Let’s look on the bright side of life and look at the advantages first…
•Most of the runs are motorways, promising easy skiing. And there is no real lack of blue or green runs. •Also, the ski schools are of top quality. Whether you want to ski or snowboard the instructors will help you all the way. •Very rarely are there bare patches of ice, or lumps of slush to tip you over, you will find some of the best skiing in the world at Val Thorens.
There are, however some disadvantages…
• Before you book, find out where your hotel is in relation to the slopes. This is because to get to the beginners slope you initially have to ski down another which the inexperienced may find challenging. •The other disadvantage is that there are so many good skiers/snowboarders in Val Thorens, you might feel a bit out of place snowploughing down the mountainside.
But what about eating out etc..
There are not many places to eat when up the mountain, in fact I think there are only three, and these are quite expensive.
Down in the resort though you will have no problem eating. The main food is pizza, salad steak hache, etc and the prices are really what is expected of a skiing resort: about 9euros for a pizza, 3 for a drink. If stuck up the mountain I recommend the chocolat chantilly, hot chocolate with cream on top…not great for your weight but nonetheless delicious.
Accomodation
The resort is really made up of hotels, mainly big ugly ones! It is purpose built, so I suppose this is expected. I stayeed in the Three Valleys Hotel which was pretty good… good value, spectacular food, friendly staff and only a short walk from the piste. The only real downside were the rooms which were not beautiful, and the beds were quite hard!
If it is positioning you are looking for then go to the Val Thorens hotel which, though expensive is on the slopes. I had a mate there so I can tell you a bit about it… the rooms are perfect, most looking onto the mountains (big TV etc, everything you expect). Also the whirlpool and sauna are just whats needed after a hard day! The only problem with this hotel is the food which is not great.
Apres Ski
This is not to bad, there are many pubs & clubs most of which are all next to each other. • The Frog and Roast Beef has live music and a really friendly atmosphere, it is run by English people, and boasts to be the highest pub in Europe! • Malaysia is also great for live music, and has a real atmosphere. Don’t be put off by the entrance (youll see what I mean) it turned out to be my favourite place to go. • Le Monde was packed with people, many of whom were middle aged men, but if you don’t mind that its another good place to be.
Val Thorens does not have the prestige of places like Courchevel, but it has the skiing unlike anywhere else on earth!
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Good review, dont agree with the runs are motorways, go ski in america, thats a motorway
mumsymary 27.08.2003 22:36
hi
asclepius 13.06.2003 14:40
I went skiing for a week last Christmas... I was so knackered by the time I got back that I felt desperate for another holiday!!! Bit too active for me - although there were some fun moments! ;o) Drew
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Apr 21st, 2003
(Apr 22nd, 2003)
very helpful by (100%):
